Strut system and building covering unit combination



Feb. 8, 1966 w. D. BEHLEN 3,233,373

STRUT SYSTEM AND BUILDING COVERING UNIT COMBINATION Filed Nov. 30, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. WALTER D. BEHLEN W. D. BEHLEN Feb. 8, 1966 STRUT SYSTEM AND BUILDING COVERING UNIT COMBINATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 30, 1959 r I I I llllln INVENTOR. WALTER D. BEHLEN I nn/n1.

W. D. BEHLEN Feb. 8, 1966 STRUT SYSTEM AND BUILDING COVERING UNIT COMBINATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 30, 1959 m OE INVEN TOR. WALTER D. BEHLEN Feb. 8, 1966 w, BEHLEN 3,233,373

STRUT SYSTEM AND BUILDING COVERING UNIT COMBINATION Filed Nov. 30, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7

IN V EN TOR.

WALTER D. BEHLEN United States Patent Patented Feb. 8, 1966 3,233,373 STRUT SYSTEM AND BUILDING COVERING UNIT COMBINATION Walter D. Behlen, Bchlen Manufacturing Co., Columbus, Nebr. Filed Nov. 39, 1959, Ser. No. 856,132 6 Claims. (Cl. 52-22) This invention relates to a new type of wide span roof construction in which light weight materials take the place of heavy metal beams and accessories.

A particular object is to provide a roof section which has two composite plates, each formed of a plurality of channel-ridged panels preferably boltal together whereby a top plate forms the roof and a lower plate forms the ceiling.

A further object is to provide a new strut system for interconnecting such upper and lower composite plates, in which the strut system itself can be formed of light gauge sheet metal because of the unusual features of the strut system itself and the manner in which it transfers roof load to the panels of the composite plates and then to the walls of a building.

A particular object is to provide a new type of strut system and wide span roof construction which makes it possible for the entire assembly to weigh from 25% to 50% less than a comparable roof made of conventional trusses, bar joists, roof sheeting, built-up roofing and closed ceiling.

A further object is to provide a new combination roof, ceiling and strut system which is of far lesser cost of construction than conventional, comparable assembly.

Yet another object is to provide the possibility oi greatly reducing construction time .by my concept of using structural framing for completing at the same time a roof and ceiling.

A particular object is to provide a wide span roof construction providing a maximum of clear span, without columns or interior support.

Another object is to provide a roof construction in which maintenance is greatly reduced.

Other objectives are to provide a system in which utilities are easily installed and re-arranged in a space between roof and ceiling composite plates, and having excellent acoustic values inherent in the panels.

Yet another object is to provide a strut design which can be easily and simply adjusted -for various load requirernents.

A particular object is to provide a roof ceiling and strut system as described which can be most ellectively used for large buildings, such as auditoriums, field houses, large airplane hangars, football stadium coverings, and large support-free office buildings.

A particular object of this invention is to provide an improvement upon the strut system described in my earlier co-pending patent application, Serial No. 835,986, filed August 25, 1959, now Patent No. 3,064,771, granted November 20, 1962, entitled Large Span Building Covering Unit.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and claims, the scope of the invention not being limited to the drawings themselves as the drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a way in which the principles of this invention can be applied.

Other embodiments of the invention utilizing the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a representative portion of the structural unit shown attached to an end vertical wall of a building;

FIG. 2 is a View showing how the representative structural unit of FIG. 1 would look as seen from the right end, the vertical end wall of the building not being shown for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a view-in-section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a detail of a side view of the portion of the strut system as seen in the circle A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view-in-section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a section of the strut system as seen in the circle B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective View of the vertical wall of the structure of FIG. 1 showing its connection to the horizontal ceiling plate, strut and anchor members, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 8 is a preferred modification of a portion of FIG. 7 showing a ceiling plate connection;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of the upper composite plate of this invention showing the lapping panels thereof with bracing means beneath the panels diagrammatically shown in dotted lines. FIGURE 9 serves also to illustrate the bottom plan view of a portion of the lower composite plate of this invention as seen from the underside of FIGURE 1. The corrugations of the panels are not shown in FIGURE 9 for clarity on this small scale.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 the large span structural unit of the invention is there shown as generally indicated at 10 having a composite upper plate or roof plate 12 which latter, as best seen in FIG. 2, is formed of a group of channel-ridged corrugated panels 16, some of which are disposed in over-lapping and under-lapping side-to-side relationship, and others of which are disposed in end-to-end relationship as indicated by the panels a and b in FIG. 1.

It will be seen that the panels 16 can be of any suitable length and any suitable width and it would be these dimensions that would determine the position of overlapping edges and ends.

Any suitable means can be used for securing the panels together and it will be understood that the bolts 20 which are shown as securing the side edges of the panels together and the bolts 22 which secure the ends of the panels 16 together, are but examples of one way of securing.

Referring to FIGURE 9, it will be seen that the panels 16 of the upper composite plate 12 which are disposed side to side have overlapping and underlapping ends a and b respectively which are secured together by bolts 22.

As best seen in FIGURE 7, the panels 16 have those ends thereof which adjoin the ends of other panels secured to those other panels by bolts 22. Those side edges of the panels 16 which are disposed adjacent the side edges of other panels 16 are disposed in overlapping and underlapping relationship with the latter with the lapping side edges being secured together by bolts 25 which latter are spaced along the lapping side edges.

FIGURE 9 will also serve to illustrate a lower composite plate 24 such as it would be seen looking at FIG- URE 1 from the underside, although it will be understood that the numerals used in FIGURE 9 are those which apply to the upper composite plate. It is believed unnecessary to have two views to illustrate both upper and lower composite plates because the lower composite plate and the upper composite plate look identical when viewed respectively from their under and upper sides.

The structural unit also has a lower composite plate generally indicated at 24 and similarly composed of panels disposed side-to-side and end-to-end, the panels of the lower plates being represented by numeral 26 and those panels of the lower composite plates which are overlapped at their ends as seen in FIG. 1 are designated d and e. The ends of the lower panels 26 are secured together by bolts 28 preferably, and the side edges of the panels 26 are preferably secured together by bolts 36. g

The panels 16 and 26 are channel ridged and corrugated. Each preferably has at least one large corrugation 40 extending downwardly from a horizontal plane through the vertical center thereof, and one or more corrugations extending upwardly from such a horizontal plane, the latter in a sense in FIG. 2 being composed of two upwardly extending half corrugations 44 disposed at the ends of the downwardly extending corrugation lli.

It will be seen that each outwardly extending half corrugation 44 forms in effect a single full continuous upwardly extending corrugation when taken in combination with an adjacent upwardly extending half corrugation 44 of an adjacent overlapping or underlapping panel 16.

It will be further seen that each downwardly extending corrugation and each upwardly extending half corrugation 44 is provided with a plurality of smaller lengthwise corrugations therein, which latter can be called ridges if desired as indicated at 48.

The lower or ceiling plate 2 has identically shaped panels having similarly downwardly extending corrugations 50 and similarly upwardly extending half corrugations 54- eachof which likewise have smaller lengthwise corrugations Within corrugations, or channel ridges 53.

It is preferable that the downwardly extending corrugations 46 and 56 of the upper and lower composite plates 12 and 24- be directly above and below each other respectively.

it is preferred that the overlapping edges of the adja cent panels 16 overlap in upwardly extending corrugations for preventing roof leakage.

Beneath each pair of overlapping edges an elongated horizontally extending light-gauge sheet metal member 66 is provided which is'of L-shape in cross-section.

The L-shape members 60 can also be called anchoring members 66 and are preferably of the same gauge as the sheet metal of the panels 16 and 26 or of slightly thicker gauge, but it will be understood that they need not be of heavy steel as would be undesired .in accordance with the principles of providing a light weight roof for large spans.

The. same bolts 20 and 30 which connect the edges of adjacent panels also serve to extend through and attach the elongated L-shaped anchoring members 66 to the underside of the upper panels and to the upper side of the lower panels respectively whereby the vertical portions of the members 60 of each pair that are disposed above and below each other respectively are arranged in the same plane for receiving thereagainst criss-cross diagonal struts 62 and 64 which are disposed on opposite sides thereof. The ends of the struts 62 and 64 are secured to the elongated horizontal anchor members60 by means of bolts 68.

It will be seen that the ends of the struts 62 and 64 terminate on the anchor members 69 and that the bolts 68 extend completely through the respective strut 62, anchor member 66 and strut 64- wherever the ends of the opposite struts 62 and 64- are disposed in lapping relationoship as seen in FIG. 4.

Others of the bolts 68 extend through only one strut 62 or 64 and through the respective horizontally extending anchor member 66.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the preferred cross-sectional shape of a strut 62 or 64 is with a substantially U-shaped center portion 76 having on each of its ends a substantially U-shaped end portion 72 whereby the free terminal ends of the end U-shaped portion 72 of the strut 62 face away from corresponding ends 72 of the opposite strut 64, and whereby vertically extending portions of the end U-shaped portion 72 of each strut 62 and 64 are disposed on opposite sides of a respective L-shaped horizontal anchor member with suitable bolts 68 extending therethrough as above described.

As will be seen in FIGURE 5, each strut is provided, as seen in cross-section with a substantially U-shaped center portion '70 having at each of its ends a substantially U-shaped center portion '72. That surface of each U-shaped portion 72 which abuts the respective anchor member. 60 can be called an abutment surface and the adjacent portion of the strut can be called an abutment portion extending to one side of center U-shaped portion '70.

Each such abutment portion is flat on that side thereof which faces the respective anchor member 60 and these ilat'surfaces are disposed in parallelism, and it will be seen that they are secured together by suitable means such as the bolts 68 at a plurality of points spaced apart sufiiciently to prevent a pivoting of the struts with the respective anchor member 60.

Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6 it will be seen that where an intersection of the interior portion of two struts 62 and 64- occurs, the two can be spaced if desired by a space plate 80 to provide the same spacing as the vertical sections of the L-shaped anchoring members 66 at the ends of the struts 62 and 64. However there is enough bend to the struts 62 and 64 that the space plate $6 can be left out if desired and the struts 62 and 64 can be drawn together by bolts 84 whichextend through each respective intersecting strut 62 and 64' and through the space plate 66 also when one is used.

eferring to FIG. 3 we there see but a single terminal side panel edge of a panel 26 secured by a bolt 30 to the anchor member 66. This situation would seldom occur as at most of the anchor members6t9 there is an overlapping of two panels.

However it will be understood that the panels 26 and 16 can have as many large lengthwise corrugations 4t? or ddltherein as desired and for this reason in some uses it might be desirable to have the L-shapedanchor members 6d placed not only at the overlappingedges of panels but also therebetween. I

Referring to FIG. 1 it will be seen that an end wall of a building using this construction can also be corrugated in similar fashion with panels disposed side-byside with vertical edges lapping each other and secured by bolts 92 whereby the bolts 92 can attach a vertically extending anchor member 94 to the inner side of the wall 90 respectively at each set of vertically lapping edges in an identical fashion to the relationship between the anchor members 66 and the upper and lower composite plates 12 and 24. r

The struts 62 and 64 are some of 20 gauge galvanized iron and others are 18,-16, l4'or 12 gauge for balanced lightness strength and economy.

The roof and ceiling-panels are of the following gauges 20, 18, 16 and 14 for, balanced lightness strength andv economy,

For example a foot-span truss-is preferably of 18 gauge'iron'in-the roof and of 20 gauge in the ceiling;

The roof and ceiling are so thick as 12 gauge only in 300-400 foot spans.

While the Wall has been called anend wall, this would only be true of a square building, because the ends of the span would be otherwise supported on the closest walls, the side walls.

Referring to FIGURE 8 it will be seen that those edges of the bottom composite plate panels 26 which are adjacentthe vertical wall 9-1) are preferably up-turned to provide a vertical flange 106 preferably about /2 of an inch high generally except for equidistantly spaced tabs 102 which are vertically extending extensions of the flange 100 and which have bolt-holes 110therethrough,

normal to the vertical wall 90 to receive bolts 114 which extend through the wall 90 and fasten the tabs 102 to the wall 90.

Webs or generally triangular portions of the flange 106 are shown at 120 and each extend from a side of a respective tab 102 downwardly and to the side of each tab 102 whereby the tabs are thus strengthened.

It Will be seen that the edges of the ceiling panels 26, the tabs 102, and the flange 100 all lie along a line of corrugated configuration in top plan view (as best seen in FIGURE 8) for the purpose (as best seen in FIGURE 7) of being in parallelism with and abutting the vertical wall 90.

Referring to FIGURE 9, it will be seen that rows 200 of widely spaced pairs of dotted lines have been used to diagrammatically illustrate separate rows of criss-cross struts 62 and 64 together with their attached L-shaped members 60.

Referring to FIGURE 7 of which FIGURE 8 is a modification it will be seen that the spaced tabs 1&2 alone are enough to sufiice for a connection although the full flange 100 with webs 120 (as seen in FIGURE 8) is preferred for greater strength.

As thus described it will be seen that this invention provides a stint system unusually well adapted for a ceiling and roof composite plate structure for strength, lightness, long unsupported spans, excellent economy and the other objectives above set forth.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a strut system and building covering unit combination constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use, by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice, except as claimed.

I claim:

1. In combination: an upper generally horizontally extending composite plate for forming a roof, and a lower generally horizontally extending composite ceiling plate and spaced a substantial distance downwardly from said upper composite plate, said composite plates each being formed of a plurality of elongated panels which are disposed some side-to-side and others end-to-end with their adjoining edges secured together, said panels each having lengthwise large corrugation means therein and also each having length-wise smaller corrugation means disposed in each larger corrugation means, and anchor means extending lengthwise of said plates and secured thereto, said anchor means being disposed on the underside of the roof plate and on the upper side of the ceiling plate substantially directly vertically above and below each other respectively, and criss-cross strut means extending between said anchor means and attached thereto, said crisscross strut means being inter-connected at each intersection thereof, said strut means, said anchor means and said composite plates all being formed of light gauged sheet metal of substantially the same thickness to provide a lightness of construction.

2. In combination: an upper generally horizontally extending composite plate for forming a roof, and a lower generally horizontally extending composite ceiling plate spaced a substantial distance downwardly from said upper composite plate, said composite plates each being formed of a plurality of elongated panels which are disposed some side-to-side and others end-to-end with their adjoining edges secured together, said panels each having lengthwise large corrugation means therein and also each having lengthwise smaller corrugation means disposed in each larger corrugation means, and anchor means eX- tending lengthwise of said plates and secured thereto, said anchor means being disposed on the underside of the roof plate and on the upper side of the ceiling plate substantially directly vertically above and below each other respectively, and criss-cross strut means extending between said anchor means .and attached thereto.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said strut means comprises a plurality of pairs of crossing struts, each pair of struts being connected at their intersection at at least two points for preventing a pivoting of the struts of a pair relative to each other.

4. The combination of claim 2 in which each strut is connected to said anchor means at a plurality of points to prevent a pivoting of said struts with respect to said anchor means.

5. The combination of claim 2 in which said struts are each provided, as seen in cross-section, with a substantially U-shaped center portion having on each of its ends abutment portions extending to the side of said U-shaped portion, said abutment portions being flat on those sides thereof which face the respective anchor member, said anchor member, said anchor members having fiat surfaces on each side thereof disposed in parallelism with and substantially abutting said abutment surfaces of said struts, and means securing said abutment surfaces of said struts to the respective flat surfaces of said anchor members.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which each end of each strut is secured to said anchor means at a plurality of points spacmi apart sufficiently for substantially preventing a pivoting of said struts with respect to said anchor means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 327,360 9/1885 Vanes 52695 1,449,721 3/ 1923 Arnstein 52695 1,948,619 2/1934 Knutson 52--467 2,371,421 3/1945 Blaski 52478 2,742,114 4/1956 Behlen 52-2-52 2,852,109 9/1958 Pine 52--86 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, CORNELIUS D. ANGEL, JACOB L. NACKENOFF, RICHARD W. COOKE, In,

Examiners. 

2. IN COMBINATION: AN UPPER GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING COMPOSITE PLATE FOR FORMING A ROOF, AND A LOWER GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING COMPOSITE CEILING PLATE SPACED A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID UPPER COMPOSITE PLATE, SAID COMPOSITE PLATES ARE BEING FORMED AT A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED PANELS WHICH ARE DISPOSED SOME SIDE-BY-SIDE AND OTHERS END-TO-END WITH THEIR ADJOINING EDGES SECURED TOGETHER, SAID PANELS EACH HAVING LENGTHWISE LARGE CORRUGATION MEANS THEREIN AND ALSO EACH HAVING LENGTHWISE SMALLER CORRUGATION MEANS DISPOSED IN EACH LARGER CORRUGATION MEANS, AND ANCHOR MEANS EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID PLATED AND SECURED THERETO, SAID ANCHOR MEANS BEING DISPOSED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ROOF PLATE AND ON THE UPPER SIDE OF THE CEILING PLATE SUBSTANTIALLY DIRECTLY VERTICALLY ABOVE AND BELOW EACH OTHER RESPECTIVELY, AND CRISS-CROSS STRUT MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID ANCHOR MEANS AND ATTACHED THERETO. 